Dolores Huerta issues statement amid César Chávez scandal: 'My silence ends here'

UFW, Chávez Foundation withdraw from celebrations

United Farm Workers and the César Chávez Foundation have canceled March 31 celebrations following allegations of misconduct by the late labor leader.

Are you or someone you know a recent survivor of sexual assault? Help is available. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides a 24/7 national sexual assault hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-4673
 

LOS ANGELES – The legacy of César Chávez continues to be scrutinized as more allegations surface about the late labor leader.

On Wednesday, legendary activist Dolores Huerta issued a statement about Chávez.

Dolores Huerta’s statement

What they're saying:

"I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for.

I have encouraged people to always use their voice. Following the New York Times’ multi-year investigation into sexual misconduct by Cesar Chavez, I can no longer stay silent and must share my own experiences.

As a young mother in the 1960s, I experienced two separate sexual encounters with Cesar. The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn’t feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to. The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped.

I had experienced abuse and sexual violence before, and I convinced myself these were incidents that I had to endure alone and in secret. Both sexual encounters with Cesar led to pregnancies. I chose to keep my pregnancies secret and, after the children were born, I arranged for them to be raised by other families that could give them stable lives."

In an extended version of her statement, Huerta said she developed a relationship with the children, who were told the truth just a few weeks ago.

"I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life’s work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights, and I wasn’t going to let Cesar or anyone else get in the way. I channeled everything I had into advocating on behalf of millions of farmworkers and others who were suffering and deserved equal rights."

She concluded her statement by writing, "I have kept my secret long enough. My silence ends here."

Click here to read her full statement.

The backstory:

On Tuesday, the United Farm Workers and the César Chávez Foundation announced they will abstain from celebrations honoring the late labor leader following serious allegations of past abuse involving minors.

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